Following an unsuccessful weekend at the University of South Florida that saw a Bull’s sweep of the Hoyas, the Georgetown University men’s baseball team bounced back this week with two hard-fought victories against Mount St. Mary’s and George Washington.
In the three game series against USF, the Hoyas were able to mount hits off the strong USF pitching staff, but they couldn’t convert enough of those hits into runs scored. Tuesday’ game against Mount St. Mary’s was a different story, in which Georgetown returned to the high level of offense from which they have benefited all year.
Georgetown quickly jumped ahead early in the game. In the second inning, senior second baseman Chip Malt drove in shortstop Tommy Elliot with a single to center field after Elliot was hit by a pitch and stole second base.
Photo courtesy of Sports Information
In the fourth inning, junior catcher Erick Fernandez fired a shot over the fence in center field for a two-run homerun. The Hoyas increased their early lead to 4-0 in the fifth off of a sacrifice fly by senior left fielder Billy Cupelo.
As has been the norm this year, the Hoyas benefited from a very strong performance by their starting pitcher. Freshman Tommy Polus held the Mount scoreless for five innings before giving up two in the sixth. He finished after 5.1 innings pitched, allowing only three hits and two walks, striking out five.
Uncharacteristically, Georgetown let the Mount back into the game in the eighth inning. The Hoyas allowed the first three men to reach base, and all three scored on a hit to right field that slipped past a diving Rand Ravnaas, tying the game at 5-5. Mount St. Mary’s took the lead later in the inning on an error, making the score 7-5.
Fortunately, Georgetown answered back with two runs in the bottom of the eighth, setting the stage for yet another walk-off win for the Hoyas this year.
Junior first baseman Dan Capeless led off the ninth with a single up the middle. After a sacrifice bunt moved Capeless to second, the Mount reliever walked two straight batters to load the bases. Sophomore catcher Kevin Johnson fell down 0-2 in the count, but worked back to eventually draw a walk, winning the game for the Hoyas.
Junior reliever Jared Cohen was credited with the win for the Hoyas, pitching 1.2 innings of scoreless relief in the eighth and ninth.
The Hoyas let their momentum carry them through their game last night against George Washington, which Georgetown won 9-5.
Georgetown returns to the field 7 p.m. this Friday against Connecticut at Shirley Povich Field.
